Capture your grin with the Grinch in Fairhaven!

Blogged under Bellingham by Fawn on Thursday 4 December 2008 at 11:14 am

Come out to Bellingham’s Historic Fairhaven District on Saturday December 6th, 13th and 20th from Noon to 4pm to get your picture taken with the Grinch and his sleigh.

The Grinch and his sleigh will be located in the basement of the Waldron building next to Aisling Eyeware and the Covet Boutique. The photos at $10.00 which includes a digital photo on a dish that can be printed anywhere.  For more information on the Fairhaven Grinch visit call 671-5769.

Happy Holidays!

Bellingham Real Estate Statistics for the week beginning Saturday, November 22

Blogged under Bellingham Real Estate Statistics by Lindsay on Monday 1 December 2008 at 11:37 am

Currently this week in Bellingham, WA the Pending Ratio is 13%, which is stable with last week’s ratio. The pending ratios are the percentage of homes listed that have pending offers on them.

Below is a graph to view the Bellingham Real Estate pending sales trend.

To view the pending ratios in numerical form click here

Bellingham Real Estate Statistics for the week beginning

Blogged under Bellingham Real Estate Statistics by Lindsay on Tuesday 25 November 2008 at 11:01 am

Currently this week in Bellingham, WA the Pending Ratio is 13%, which is down one point from last week’s 14% ratio. The pending ratios are the percentage of homes listed that have pending offers on them.

Below is a graph to view the Bellingham Real Estate pending sales trend.

To view the pending ratios in numerical form click here

Bellingham Real Estate Statistics for the week beginning Saturday, November 8

Blogged under Bellingham Real Estate Statistics by Lindsay on Tuesday 18 November 2008 at 10:11 am

Currently this week in Bellingham, WA the Pending Ratio is 14%, which is stable with last week’s pending ratio. The pending ratios are the percentage of homes listed that have pending offers on them.

Below is a graph to view the Bellingham Real Estate pending sales trend.

To view the pending ratios in numerical form click here

Columbia Neighborhood / Bellingham Real Estate

Blogged under Bellingham, Bellingham Neighborhoods, Random by Rich on Monday 17 November 2008 at 5:35 pm
Elizabeth Park in the Columbia Park Neighborhood

Elizabeth Park in the Columbia Park Neighborhood

The Columbia Neighborhood in the City of Bellingham is almost magical. Being one of the oldest Bellingham Neighborhoods, a visitor can find housing choices that date from the late 1800’s to the current year with the majority of homes built prior to 1940. Regardless of the year built, the size or the location in the Columbia Neighborhood, its residents are all proud to call it home. Aside from the wonderful selection of homes, the Columbia Neighborhood offers its residents & visitors some of the finest parks in the City of Bellingham, including:

  • Peabody Plaza
  • Gibson Plaza
  • Lorraine Ellis Park
  • Elizabeth Park
  • Carl Lobe Park

Who can pass up a Thursday evening at Elizabeth Park with a concert in the gazebo & the pleasure of a treat from the local vendors - an ice cream cone from Mallards Ice Cream is enough reason in itself to attend a Summer’s event in Elizabeth Park.

Our sons, Chandler & Graham, & I have spent many hours at Carl Lobe & Lorraine Parks. Often, it was as though the parks were our own private domain. Often times we were the only ones there other than the resident squirrels & racoons.

Columbia Elementary School in the Columbia Neighborhood

Columbia Elementary School in the Columbia Neighborhood

For those parents who had, have or will have children of elementary school age, the Columbia Elementary School which was originally established in 1890 is outstanding & is certainly one of the institutions that makes the Columbia Neighborhood stand out. You can access the Columbia School Performance Report by clicking here.

If you have the opportunity, the Eldridge Historical Society usually will offer a tour of “Historical Homes” over the Holidays. It’s a trip back in time that is well worth the effort. You might be able to see such classics as

  • Austin House 1504 Washington Street built before 1890
  • Bolster House 2820 Eldridge Avenue built in 1890
  • Canfield House 2215 Williams Street built in 1892
  • Keyes House 2230 Henry Street built in 1893
  • Neterer House 1700 Eldridge Avenue built in 1903

The list is endless of period homes that bring us back to the very beginnings of this City.

For those of you who have interest in the current inventory of Bellingham’s Columbia Neighborhood real estate, you can access it here on the Johnson Team web site.

If you currently own a home in the Columbia Neighborhood & would like to receive an on-line report of the value of your Columbia Neighborhood real estate, you can do so by clicking here.

If you’d care to see a current market report of recent real estate activity in the Columbia Neighborhood click here. This pdf report covers all activity through 11/10/08. As you can see from the report, there are currently (as of Nov 17, 2008) 12 homes listed for sale in the Columbia Neighborhod ranging in value from $239,900 to $2,295,000, & over the last 6 months, 25 homes have sold from a low of $172,560 to a high of $525,000. Homes in the Columbia Neighborhood on average in this analysis sold within 97.8% of their list price.

Whatcom Country Trails Welcome You

Blogged under Bellingham, Random, Whatcom County Events by Lindsay on Friday 14 November 2008 at 3:12 pm

For me there is nothing much more enjoyable and thereputic than a day hike on one of Whatcom County’s many trails. This wonderful county offers more than 100 trails from the Chuckanut Mountain trails system, to Galbraith and beyond, to the many wonderful higher elevation excursions in the North Cascades foothills.

The Fall and Winter months tend to deter the more tentative outdoors people, as rain and cold weather make some trails all but unmanageable. If you are looking for an easy stroll, you can always revert to the standard favorite Lake Padden Loop. Quite honestly, this short 2.6 mile loop keeps me sane during the longer Winter months when other trails are unserviceable by snow and too much mud.

If you are looking for a more challenging trip, head east towards Mt. Baker and hike the Heliotrope Ridge Trail. This in-and-out jaunt is only 4.5 miles roundtrip, but is quite strenous due to the 2,000 foot gain in elevation. You’ll begin in an old growth forest at the trailhead but will travel upwards to enjoy one of the greatest Mt. Baker views to be had. This trail is only serviceable during the Summer and Fall months, but is well worth the drive!

If you are a mountain biker, look no further than Galbraith Mountain, said to be one of the best locations for mountain biking in the country. Since I am a novice biker, I don’t venture into this big kid’s playground, but for intermediate and advanced riders this mountain is a playground unlike any other. The massive trail system is also a superb spot for avid trail runners. Get lost a bit and romp around in the mud after a solid Fall rain. We promise you’ll return home a kid again!

Bellingham Central Business District / Downtown Bellingham Real Estate

Blogged under Bellingham, Bellingham Neighborhoods, Random by Rich on Friday 14 November 2008 at 12:43 pm
Bellingham Museum

Bellingham Museum

The Central Business District in Bellingham, Washington is probably the most diverse neighborhood in Bellingham. The area includes a smorgasboard of businesses, services, activities and living choices. 

Squalicum Harbor - Fisherman's Memorial

Squalicum Harbor - Fisherman' Memorial

Bellingham’s waterfront includes

  • Squalicum Marina, Zuanich Park with its Fisherman’s Memorial, a variety of marine related services such as Bellingham Marine and Lummi Fish & some of Bellingham’s finest restaurants.
  • Whatcom Creek, the former home of the Roeder Family lumber mill in the 1850’s & Maritime Heritage Park
  • The home of the City & County offices, Post Office & Bellingham Museum
  • The downtown business core including local favorites such as The Green House, The Horse Shoe Cafe, Hohl Feed & Seed & a variety of others.
  • A trip downtown would not be complete without walking down Railroad Ave & perhaps stopping for a roll at Avenue Bread or a bagel at The Bagelry
  • On the week-end, the Farmers Market is a must
  • The Interurban Trail takes you through what will become one of Bellingham’s most cherished spots ie: the redesign of the former Georgia Pacific site.
  • Through this entire area there are a variety of housing choices which range from a boat slip for the live aboards at Squalicum Marina, to a variety of apartment & condo choices in the downtown & waterfront areas.

For those interested in housing available in the Bellingham Central Business District or Downtown Bellingham, you can access the downtown Bellingham real estate opportunities offered by the Johnson Team by clicking here.

There is a photo gallery & a virtual tour of the Bellingham Central Business District & Downtown Bellingham on The Johnson Team web site.

For those of you who own real estate in the Bellingham Central Business District & would like a quick on-line evaluation of value for your property, click here.

Whatcom Creek as it spills into Bellingham Bay.  This is the former site of the Roeder & Peabody saw mill built in the early 1850's.

Whatcom Creek as it spills into Bellingham Bay.

This is the former site of the Roeder & Peabody saw mill built in the early 1850's. A slice of Bellingham’s history that comes from the Central Business District's past would include the following chain of events that resulted in Henry Roeder & Russell Peabody building a saw mill. The site of the mill was on the east side of Whatcom Creek where the creek spilled over a water fall into Bellingham Bay. You might think it strange that these two entrepreneurs would choose an undeveloped site in a spot primarily known only by the local Indian tribes, but it just so happened that at this time the sailing fleet needed the perfectly formed fir trees found in Whatcom County. The fleet that supplying the California gold fields with everything from gold pans to bacon was being battered as it rounded the Horn of Africa & as a result needed a local supply of timber to re-fit the masts, spars & planking that was damaged during the trip. Roeder & Peabody supplied that need with their saw mill at Whatcom Creek, which is now the home of the Maritime Heritage Park. For those of you who would care to contribute to the section of our blog “Whatcom County Remembered“, by including your memories of the area, I’d encourage you to contact us. Too many of the stories of Whatcom County history are being lost. It would be nice to create an informal forum for those past thoughts & memories to be recorded for all to share. We’d love to include your articles & photos.

From the City of Bellingham’s web site you can access the Central Business Neighborhood Base map, the Bellingham Central Business District Neighborhood Circulation map, the Bellingham Central Business District Neighborhood Land Use map, the Bellingham Central Business District Current Use map & finally the Bellingham Downtown Neighborhood Zoning map.

The City of Bellingham describes the Central Business District Neighborhood in the following manner:

The Central Business District Neighborhood/City Center is Bellingham’s core downtown neighborhood and central waterfront. It is the dominant cultural, civic, financial and service center of the community.

The City Center is a collection of smaller neighborhoods, each of which has distinct features that reflect historical land uses, topography and geographic location. For example, the Old Town area was shaped by the economics of the Port of Bellingham, while the Commercial Core Area has a long-standing tradition of general retail. Railroad Avenue has a unique identity as well, which in part comes from the very wide street that reflects the existence of a rail line earlier in the City’s history.

The Civic Center lies along the northern edge of downtown and spans Whatcom Creek. Buildings in this area house City and County offices as well as a variety of other governmental services. The Post Office and Public Library are also a part of this complex. The cultural district focal points include historic buildings containing the Whatcom Museum of History and Art and the Mt. Baker Theater. The Hillclimb, a ceremonial stairway leading from Holly Street to the Civic Center and Cultural District also serves as an outdoor amphitheater in Maritime Heritage Park on Whatcom Creek. Whatcom Creek Trail and Greenway runs along the northern border of the neighborhood and provides a pedestrian connector from the waterfront to adjacent neighborhoods. The central waterfront historically supported industrial uses and commercial fishing. It includes Squalicum Harbor Marina, Zuanich Point Park and commercial/industrial areas primarily managed by the Port of Bellingham. The City and the Port have recently joined forces to create a redevelopment plan for 137 industrial waterfront acres acquired by the Port with homes, shops, offices and light industry, as well as parks and promenades, a healthy shoreline habitat along Bellingham Bay, and a new marina.
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

Open House in Bellingham, Wash. this Sunday, November 16

Blogged under Bellingham Neighborhoods, Open Houses, Random by Lindsay on Friday 14 November 2008 at 9:21 am

Are you looking for a one of a kind opportunity? Well look no further with this charming update of the quintessential Bellingham craftsman located in the Lettered Streets. We just love this home and know you will to. It is close to Bellingham schools and all city amenities and just a stones throw from Cornwall Park and other area green spaces. Come visit us at an open house on Sunday, November 16 from 12 - 2 and we’ll show you this adorable home in one of the most sought after neighborhoods in town. Check out the virtual tour below and see for yourself!

The Johnson Team at the Muljat Group South has historically held open-houses throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County every week on Sunday afternoons. For you, The Johnson Team’s valued clients, these Bellingham / Whatcom County open houses will provide not only the opportunity to view a home “live” but also to meet one of four dedicated agents. Our agents understand that our clients are as busy as we are, and may not be able to make it to a particular open house during our standard showing days, so if you are interested in viewing any home in Whatcom County, please give us a call at (360) 527-8766 and we’ll work to accomodate your schedule.

Birchwood Real Estate / Birchwood Bellingham Neighborhood / Birchwood Bellingham Real Estate

Blogged under Bellingham, Bellingham Neighborhoods by Rich on Monday 10 November 2008 at 6:25 pm

A typical tree lined street in the Bellingham Birchwood Neighborwood featuring the well kept Birchwood real estate housing choices

A typical tree lined street in the Bellingham Birchwood Neighborwood featuring well kept Birchwood real estate housing choices

While each of the Bellingham Neighborhoods has its own character, the Birchwood Neighborhood has qualities that are not found anywhere else in the City. Some things a visitor driving through the Birchwood Neighborhood would probably discover early on would include the rural nature of the community, with streets lined with huge fir & maple trees and the unusually large lots (it’s not uncommon here to have a 1/2 acre lot or larger. You might even see a horse or a couple of chickens.

Bellingham Golf & County Club in the Birchwood Neighborhood

Bellingham Golf & County Club in the Birchwood Neighborhood


In the midst all this you’ll find the Bellingham Golf & Country Club, Bellingham Technical College, a variety of parks & trails, a variety of well kept housing choices, a commercial area & multifamily apartment complexes.

For those of you who have interest in the current inventory of Bellingham’s Birchwood real estate, you can access it here on the Johnson Team’s web site.

If you currently own Birchwood real estate & would like to receive an on-line report of the value of your Birchwood real estate, you can do so by clicking here.

If you’d care to see a current market report of recent Birchwood real estate activity click here

This pdf report covers all activity through 11/10/08. As you can see from the report, there are currently 14 homes listed for sale in the Birchwood Neighborhood ranging in value from $129,900 to $525,000 & over the last 6 months, 10 homes have sold from a low of $190,000 to a high of $385,000. Homes in the Birchwood Neighborhood on average are selling within 96% of their list price.

The Birchwood Elementary School

The Birchwood Elementary School


For those of you who are moving to Bellingham & considering Birchwood real estate, you might like to know about the schools servicing the Birchwood Neighborhood. The Birchwood Elementary is located 3200 Pinewood & is Called “The Home of the Bulldogs”. Shuksan Middle School is located at 2713 Alderwood Ave & is known as “The Home of the Cougars“. Squalicum High School or “The Home of the Storm” is located at 3773 East McLeod.

The early beginnings of Bellingham date back to the 1850’s so naturally the Bellingham area is rich in history. A slice of Bellingham’s history that comes from the Birchwood Neighborhood would include the following:
In 1917 the Bellingham Coal Mines opened near present-day Northwest and Birchwood Avenues. The mine extended to hundreds of miles of tunnels as deep as 1200′. It ran southwest to Bellingham Bay, on both sides of Squalicum Creek, an area of about one square mile. It employed some 250 miners digging over 200,000 tons of coal annually, at its peak in the 1920’s. It was closed in 1955. All evidence of mining in the Birchwood Neighborhood is gone now with the exception of memories embedded in the minds of those that lived and worked there at the time & those pieces of history that are recorded in diaries & books written by local authors. There is an old tale of Chinese workers, each with their life savings in their money belts, trapped in a flooded mine shaft that are still entombed to this day. If you have a memory or photo of the area that you’d care to share, I’d love to hear from you.

For those of you who would care to contribute to the section of our blog “Whatcom County Remembered“, by including your memories of the area, I’d encourage you to contact us. We’d love to include your articles & photos.

The City of Bellingham describes the Birchwood Neighborhood in the following manner:
The Birchwood neighborhood is home to nearly 5,000 residents according to the 2000 census (7.3% of the total city population). The neighborhood is characterized by older, well-kept homes built on large lots (20,000 square feet or greater). The large lots, mature landscaping, and narrow streets lend a rural atmosphere to the neighborhood. Apartment complexes have been constructed in the multifamily zoned areas primarily along Northwest Avenue and W. Maplewood. In addition, there is a commercial area located near the intersection of Northwest, W. Maplewood and Birchwood Avenue that provides services to the Birchwood, Cornwall Park and Columbia neighborhoods.

Other significant features of the neighborhood include the Bellingham Golf and Country Club, the Squalicum Creek greenbelt, Bellingham Technical College, and Shuksan Middle School.

Birchwood Park provides neighborhood amenities including a playground, basketball court, picnic shelter and open play field. Shuksan Meadows, adjacent to Shuksan Middle School, provides a playground and half-court basketball Court near the apartment complexes. Squalicum Creek Park is a new community park acquired with Beyond Greenway Levy funds. The master plan for this 42 acre park includes lighted ballfields, multi-use fields, playgrounds, picnic shelters, enclosed pavilion building, and off-leash dog park. Little Squalicum Park, located just outside the neighborhood boundary, provides salt water frontage on Bellingham Bay. The Bay to Baker Trail and Greenway connects Little Squalicum, Birchwood and Squalicum Creek Parks.

An aquatic resident of Little Squalicum Park in the Birchwood Neighborhood

An aquatic resident of Little Squalicum Park in the Birchwood Neighborhood

To get an idea of the Bellingham Birchwood Neighborhood or Bellingham Birchwood real estate, review the City’s Birchwood Neighborhood Basemap. From this map, you can determine parcel lines, public buildings, community parks, trails & open space in the Bellingham Birchwood Neighborhood & get a better idea of Birchwood real estate. The City’s Birchwood Neighborhood Circulation map will help you understand the traffic patterns that residents of the Birchwood Neighborhood use & what the more highly trafficked routes are. A quick review of the City’s Birchwood Neighborhood Land Use map will explain the different zoning designations. If you are looking for Birchwood real estate or making a decision on what you can do to develop your real estate in the Birchwood Neighborhood, this map is a good place to start your research. The City’s Birchwood Neighborhood Zoning map is another way of determining the appropriate uses of your Birchwood real estate.

Bellingham Real Estate Statistics for the Week Beginning Nov. 1, 2008

Blogged under Bellingham Real Estate Statistics by Lindsay on Monday 10 November 2008 at 11:35 am

Currently this week in Bellingham, WA the Pending Ratio is 14%, which is up one percentage point from last week’s pending ration of 13%. The pending ratios are the percentage of homes listed that have pending offers on them.

Below is a graph to view the Bellingham Real Estate pending sales trend.

To view the pending ratios in numerical form click here

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